The Nations of Nälu welcomes you to the western region of Nälu. Home to the elves, two of the dwarf clans, and the humans. Most likely you came by ship, so we will start with the beautiful land of Zurial...

What is a visit to a new land without exploring some of the cuisine? I don’t know about you, but I LOVE food and discovering new favorites. If you’ve been by my Facebook page, you probably have guessed that. Ha! Well, here in Nälu we have quite a variety. Today we’ll just look at a few favorites...

In the course of edits, Secrets Kept lost the opening chapter where we catch a glimpse of the Sacred Pearl. Hopefully, I’ll be able to share that scene with you all one of these days. But later in the story, we learn that the Sacred Pearl was kidnapped during the attack on Dagmar, the headquarters of the Guardians.But what is so special about the Pearl?

This book is amazing! It's a gorgeous fantasy with lots of action-packed scenes and spellbinding paranormal and fantasy elements. It's a quick read (I need more!!) and is a definite page turner. It's unique, original, and gorgeously written, perfectly for any lover of good, descriptive fantasy.

The defeat of Lord Stygian released the people, breaking the hold of the Tainted One, but she vowed to return. Who would stop her then? Who should rule the nations? What will become of the giants? Can they be trusted? The questions gave way to chaos, but Karasi, one of the lost rulers of Zohar, long imprisoned by the Tainted One and Stygian, brought peace again and established the first Guardian Circle. They were charged with guiding and teaching of the nations, so that history would never repeat itself, and the nations would never have to endure another oppressive rule such as Lord Stygian’s again...

"This is an intro to how JL Mbewe's stories aren't all peachy happy endings, necessarily, how she delivers an entire world, finished and beautiful, with minimal words. With one short story, she gained a fan-for-life with me. (I'm stubborn, too... you're stuck with me now, JL!!) I love this book!!"

On the northern edge of the Prathae Plains lies an ancient forest. Wisps of a grey mist ooze between bent and wrinkled trees. Silvery cobwebs sway loosely among their twisting limbs like tattered curtains of the dead. A force lingers at the edge of the forest like the foul stench of a beast. It breathes of dark magic and death...

When Nälu was known as Talesri, there were only two dwarf clans. Klovan and Igazin, and they both spoke Tarôc...

During Stygian’s reign, the Klovan maintained a strong defense against the dwäza raids, but much of Stygian’s focus was on the Igazin...[The Stozic's] capital city, Ta’vazi, is built right into the side of the mountain much like the ancient city of Petra in Jordan...

"I definitely found the title a perfect fit for the story. The MC, Ayianna, has had some secrets kept from her and then in turn must keep her own...Overall, this was a good story. I really wanted to understand more about the prophecy and dagger and the role that Ayianna and her fellow companions will play, but I'll have to wait until the next book to learn more."

There are three distinct ethnic groups of elves in Nälu. The Esusamor, Saryhemor, and Wofsemor. They speak the common tongue of Nälu, their dialect of Zjótharyn, and most of the older generations are familiar with the ancient language of Táchil. Aside from the merfolk, they are the longest living beings in Nälu...

Across many watery miles and treacherous seas, is a land of mystery, great beauty, and wonder. Ragged mountains emerge from the depths and loom over lush, colorful gardens. Home to the glowing moonflower, healing waters, and dragons.Here, you will find the Kaleki. The Sea-people. Otherwise known as the merfolk...

"Secrets Kept by J.L. Mbewe is a refreshingly brilliant and utterly sizzling beginning to an astounding epic adventure that emphasizes the innate desire in all of us to do what we fear the most – to truly live life to the fullest. I absolutely loved this story!"

"I really liked the story, over all. I found it engaging enough that there were not many slow spots in it , which is good cause I read most of it in one weekend so I could have the review up by today.There's also fantastical creatures galore!"

With a curse, she will build an army.With the dagger, she will undo the last sacrifice.But first the sorceress must find the secret keeper.Torn from her homeland and thrust into a betrothal against her wishes, Ayianna learns her family has a deadly secret that now has her on the run. She joins forces with Kael, an embittered half-elf, and Saeed, an elderly High Guardian, to seek answers to her father’s death, the destruction of Dagmar, and the plains people’s bizarre behavior.Ayianna discovers there is more at stake here than just her mother’s disappearance and her familial duty to her betrothed. The sorceress has cursed the plains people, and it is a race against time to release them before the sorceress resurrects an ancient evil.

Desert Rose (A Tale of Nälu #1) by J.L. MbeweFirst short story published March 2013Set thirty some years before the opening scene of book one.Can a desert princess find love with a foreign king?Johari lives in the shadow of her beautiful sister until a foreign king notices her, but in her haste to prove herself worthy of affection she finds herself compromised and on a difficult journey to make things right.

What if all you knew had been a lie?The teaching of the Guardians has guided Semine’s footsteps since her infancy. When her mentor shows up with information contrary to what she’s been taught, she doubts her decision to follow in their footsteps. She must decide if there is life beyond what she has always known or embrace a new, mysterious path and reject the Guardians’ legacy.

To what lengths would you go to the save the world?Elothryn keeps the darkest secret of Nälu: The cursed dagger of Raemoja. A weapon powerful enough to release the greatest evil from the underworld. For generations, his family has lived without incident until now. The hunters have his scent and will stop at nothing to reclaim the dagger. Elothryn and his son flee, seeking help, but will they find it?

NOW AVAILABLE: Tales of Nälu (all three short stories in paperback) on Amazon!

Living life balanced between reality and dreams.

Author Bio - J.L. Mbewe

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She has two short stories published in The Clockwork Dragon anthology, and is busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril. Her debut novel Secrets Kept and her short stories set in the world of Nälu: Desert Rose, Dragon Thief, and Indestructible are now available. She is currently living her second childhood with a wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and books, among other things.For more information about her journey as a writer mama and all things creative please visit her at:

I only discovered reading challenges last year and I thought they were so super-brilliant that I signed up for 8 of them! This year I had even more enthusiasm and kept finding more, and more cool challenges, and so I am proud to say,

This is a challenge to read 24 dystopian books between 1st Jan and 31st Dec 2014. There are 4 levels and you receive a badge upon completion of each level:1. Recruit: 1-6 Dystopian Books2. Rebel: 7-12 Dystopian Books3. Revolutionist: 13-18 Dystopian Books4. Leader: 19+ Dystopian BooksI'm not sure if I'll read the 24 books required for this challenge, but I'm hoping to at least make Revolutionist!I will keep track of my books and link to reviews below:1. Ratgirl: Song of the Viper by Gayle C. Krause~ Review2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24.1/24

This is a challenge to record books that have animals in the title, cover, or as a main role read between 1st Jan and 31st Dec 2014. Books can crossover with other challenges. There are 3 levels:1. Level 1: 1-6 Animal Books2. Level 2: 7-12 Animal Books3. Level 3: 13+ Animal BooksI'm not sure how many animal-y books I've got planned to read but I'm going to go for Level 2.I will keep track of my books and link to reviews below:1. Ratgirl: Song of the Viper by Gayle C. Krause(title/main: rat)~ Review2. Kindar's Cure by Michelle Hauck(cover: horse)~ Review3. After the End (After the End #1)by Amy Plum(cover: dogs)~ Review (to come)4. Hidden (Dragonlands #1)by Megg Jensen(cover: dragon)~ Review5. A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson (title: swans)~ Review (to come)6.7.8.9.10.11.12.5/12

This is a challenge to record book series' read & reviewed between 1st Jan and 31st Dec 2014. You can have started reading the series pre-2014 but you must finish reading the series or up to the latest book in 2014, and the series has to have at least two books published prior to Dec 1st 2014 for it count. There are 4 levels, each with prizes:1. Bronze Badge: 1-3 Series2. Silver Badge: 4-6 Series3. Gold Badge: 7-11 Series4. Platinum Badge: 12+ Series

I would like to alert my readers that my opinions are my own and I am not being paid for my reviews. All books not bought are given to me freely and are accepted for an honest review. Receiving ARC's and/or free review copies in no way influences the opinions expressed in my reviews.